Method of and apparatus for forming an image, and computer program

ABSTRACT

The network printer obtains information from a Web page over the network, and stores this obtained information together with a URL thereof and the time when this information was received into the storage. When a print request from the outside via a console panel is made, the network printer reads data of an assigned URL from the storage, and prints this data using the printer engine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/985,484filed Nov. 5, 2001, and claims the benefit of priority from the JapanesePatent Application Nos. 2000-338217, filed Nov. 6, 2000, and2001-094343, filed Mar. 28, 2001, the entire contents of each of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus forforming an image and capable of collecting information via the Internetand printing the collected information, and a computer program formaking a computer execute this method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Along the recent development in the Internet, it has become common tocollect information by utilizing E-mails, net news, and WWW (World WideWeb) as distributed systems on the Internet.

The E-mails and the net news employ what is called a push-typeinformation providing mode. Specifically, based on the registration ofE-mail addresses in advance, information is periodically distributed tousers as E-mails or net news. The WWW employs what is called a pull-typeinformation providing mode. Specifically, users make access to aspecific HTTP service by using browsers, and obtain information.

As an information collection technique using this WWW, there exists asoftware for storing a WWW page of an HTTP server positioned at aspecific IP address automatically and periodically onto a hard disc of aPC. When this conventional technique is used, a user can have a desiredWWW page downloaded from a desired HTTP server, and read this WWW pagein off-line.

However, such conventional techniques are suitable for PCs that have anetwork connection function and a relatively large display screen, andare not suitable for PDAs that have a small display screen. Therefore,in many cases, when information has been collected using the PDA, a usercan have the information printed on a sheet of paper using an imageformation apparatus like a printer, and then confirm the contents.Consequently, this has a problem in that it takes time to confirm theinformation.

Further, when only an image formation apparatus, for example thefacsimile, is placed in a work place, it is not possible to collectinformation via the Internet by using the conventional techniques.Therefore, there is also a problem that it is not possible to confirmdesired information.

In view of the above, it is extremely important to efficiently realizean image formation apparatus capable of collecting information via theInternet and capable of printing the collected information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of and anapparatus for forming an image and capable of collecting information viathe Internet and printing the collected information, and a computerprogram for making a computer execute this method.

According to the method of and the apparatus for forming an image, andthe computer program relating to one aspect of this invention,information is obtained from the network via the network interface, andthe information is stored in the information storage. When a request forprinting has been received from the outside, the information stored inthe information storage is printed with the printer engine. Therefore,it is possible to collect information on the network and print thisinformation, without utilizing a PC or a PDA.

According to another aspect of the present invention the image formationapparatus comprises: hardware resources including one or more of adisplay section, a printing section, a storage section, and an imagepick-up section that are used for forming an image, and provides userservices of an image formation processing using a printer, a copymachine, and a facsimile unit. The image formation apparatus comprises aplatform capable of loading thereon a plurality of applications forproviding own image formation processing to each of the user servicesusing the printer, the copying machine, and the facsimile unit, theplatform located between the applications and the hardware resources,for controlling the management and execution of the hardware resourcesthat are carried out in common to the plurality of applications that canbe loaded at the time of providing the user services. The platformcomprises: an information obtaining module which obtains informationfrom the network via the network interface; a memory control modulewhich stores the information obtained by the information obtainingmodule into the storage section; and an engine control module whichprints, using the printing section, information stored in the storagesection that has been requested for printing, when the informationprinting request has been received from the network.

Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric connection of a networkprinter as a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining a processing thatthe network printer executes according to a control program stored in aROM;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing procedurethat the network printer carries out;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing procedurethat the network printer carries out;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing procedurethat the network printer carries out;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing one example of a screen display on aconsole panel of the network printer;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram for explaining a processing thatthe network printer executes according to a control program stored in aROM according to a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed procedure that thenetwork printer carries out;

FIG. 9 is top plan view showing an example of a screen display of datathat the network printer transmits to a user's WWW browser;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram for explaining a processing thatthe network printer executes according to a control program stored in aROM according to a third embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing procedurethat the network printer carries out;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing procedurethat the network printer carries out;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a detailed processing procedurethat the network printer carries out;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view showing one example of a screen display on aconsole panel of the network printer;

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing a structure of a compositedevice relating to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the operation of printing data byusing a print application shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the print operation of WWW datausing a WWW print application shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram showing a structure of a compositedevice relating to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the print operation of print datausing the composite device shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the operation of obtaining andprinting WWW data using WWW print application shown in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the method of and an apparatus for forming an image, anda computer program for realizing the method according to the presentinvention on a computer will be explained in detail below with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric connection of a networkprinter 1 as the first embodiment of this invention. This networkprinter 1 is an example of the image formation apparatus of thisinvention. As shown in FIG. 1, the network printer 1 has a CPU 2 forcarrying out various kinds of processing and integrally controlling eachsection, a ROM 3 for storing various kinds of computer programs, a RAM 4as a work area for the CPU 2, flash memories 5 as second and thirdmemories for storing various kinds of set information, and a networkinterface 12 for carrying out communications with the network 11,connected to each other with a bus 6.

The bus 6 is also connected with a large-capacity storage 7 as a firstmemory like that for a hard disk drive, an image buffer 8 for extendinga bit image for printing, a printer engine 9 for printing an imagewritten in the image buffer 8 according to an electronic photographingsystem or other printing system, and a console panel 10 equipped withvarious kinds of keys for receiving various kinds of operation fromusers and an LCD for displaying various kinds of messages, via apredetermined interface and an I/O. The network 11 is connected with aserver (a WWW server) 13, and a terminal 14 like a PC.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining a processing thatthe network printer 1 executes according to a control program stored inthe ROM 3. As shown in FIG. 2, an information accumulation controller 21collects information from WWW pages on the network 11, and stores thecollected information into the large-capacity storage 7.

Set information 22 is information to be used for the processing executedby the information accumulation controller 21, and this information isstored in the flash memories 5. The set information 22 includes a URL ofa WWW page from which information is to be collected on the network 11,a time and interval for making access to WWW pages, a flag (an imagestorage flag) showing whether an image included on the WWW page is to beaccumulated in the large-capacity storage 7 or not, a value (anaccumulation maximum layer) showing whether a page indicated by ahyperlink included on the WWW page is to be accumulated extending overseveral layers in the large-capacity storage 7 or not, and a user ID anda password for authentication in the case of referring to an assignedWWW page. For example, when a typical new information site has beenassigned, the time for checking the updating of this WWW page is at24:00. In this case, the checking is carried out at every 24 hours.Further, as it is not necessary to follow a link, 1 is assigned as ahierarchy.

Accumulated information 23 includes a URL of WWW pages and imagescollected on the network 11, collected (accumulated) dates and times,and pages (HTML) and image data, and this information is stored in thelarge-capacity storage 7.

A timer 24 provides time information to the information accumulationcontroller 21. An HTTP request transmitter 25 transmits an HTTP requestof a URL assigned by the information accumulation controller 21. Aprinter controller 26 prints an image by controlling the printer engine9 according to an assignment from the information accumulationcontroller 21.

A HTML analyzer 27 analyzes the HTML of a received WWW page. A HTMLrendering engine 28 analyzes the HTML of a received WWW page, anddevelops the WWW page into bit map data that can be printed with theprinter engine 9.

A user authenticator 29 collates a password input with the console panel10 with a password stored in the set information 22. A console panelcontroller 30 controls the console panel 10.

When a firewall has been built up, the printer may not collectinformation directly from the external server 13, but may be structuredto be connected to the external server 13 via a proxy server thatoperates on a separate workstation connected to the network.

Next, the processes carried out by the network printer 1 will beexplained in detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 3 toFIG. 5.

When the time of the timer 24 has reached a time for making access to aWWW page as fetching-timing information included in the set information22 (YES at step S1), the network printer 1 starts the processing shownin FIG. 3. First, the information accumulation controller 21 obtains aURL as the fetching-target information included in the set information22, and requests the HTTP request transmitter 25 to check apredetermined WWW page (step S2).

The HTTP request transmitter 25 generates an HTTP request to an assignedURL according to a HEAD method (step S3), and the network I/F 12transmits the HTTP request to the WWW server 13 of the assigned URL, andreceives a response from the WWW server 13 (step S4).

The HTTP request transmitter 25 checks whether the WWW page has beenupdated or not, from the response received from the WWW server 13. Whenthe WWW page has not been updated (NO at step S5), the HTTP requesttransmitter 25 finishes the processing. When the WWW page has beenupdated (YES at step S5), the HTTP request transmitter 25 generates anHTTP request to the assigned URL according to a GET method (step S6).The network I/F 12 transmits the HTTP request to the WWW server 13 ofthe assigned URL, and receives a response from the WWW server 13 (stepS7).

The HTTP request transmitter 25 extracts contents from the response, andthe information accumulation controller 21 accumulates the contentstogether with the URL and the receiving time as the accumulatedinformation 23 (step S8). The HTTP request transmitter 25 then analyzesthe HTML of the WWW page received by the HTML analyzer 27, and extractsthe image and the hyperlink (step S9).

When the image accumulation flag of the set information 22 is ON, andalso when there is still the image (YES at step S10), the HTTP requesttransmitter 25 generates an HTTP request to the URL of this image (stepS11), and returns to the step S7. When the image accumulation flag ofthe set information 22 is OFF, or when the image has not been extractedat step S9 (NO at step S10), the HTTP request transmitter 25 comparesthe current hierarchy with the accumulation maximum hierarchy of the setinformation 22 (step S12). When the current hierarchy is smaller thanthe accumulation maximum hierarchy (YES at step S12), the HTTP requesttransmitter 25 generates an HTTP request to the URL of the hyperlink(step S13), returns to step S7, and checks other hierarchy. When thecurrent hierarchy has reached the accumulation maximum hierarchy (NO atstep S12), the HTTP request transmitter 25 finishes the processing.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the user has operated the console panel 10 andselected an accumulated-information print mode (YES at step S21), thenetwork printer 1 starts the processing shown in FIG. 4. Namely, theinformation accumulation controller 21 reads the fetching-target URL andthe receiving time stored in the accumulated information 23 (theinformation accumulated at step S8), and prepares a list of thisinformation (step S22). Then, the console panel controller 30 displaysthe list on the LCD of the console panel 10 (step S23).

FIG. 6 shows one example of this image display. In the example of FIG.6, a URL is shown on the left side, and a receiving time is shown on theright side. The past hysteresis is displayed vertically. When an upperor lower button on the console (or the console panel) is depressed, ahighlight of a character string that shows a selection of informationmoves.

When the user has selected a desired URL and a receiving time by lookingat this display (the highlight of the character string showing aselection of information moves based on the operation of a predeterminedselection key on the console panel 10. When this is stopped at a desiredposition, and a predetermined determination key is operated, a selectionis carried out) (YES at step S24), the console panel controller 30displays a message of a request for inputting a password on the LCD ofthe console panel 10 (at step S25).

When the user has input a password by operating the keys on the consolepanel 10 (YES at step S26), the user authenticator 29 collates the inputpassword with the password stored in the set information 22, and decideswhether the input password is correct or not (step S27).

An authentication unit is realized at step S27. When the input passwordis correct (YES at step S27), the processing shown in FIG. 4 isfinished. When the input password is not correct (NO at step S27), theconsole panel controller 30 displays an error message on the LCD of theconsole panel 10 (step S28), and finishes the processing shown in FIG.4. When the network printer 1 is equipped with a charge system, the usercan use a user code in this charge system as a password to be input bythe user.

When there has been a print request from the outside (YES at step S31),the network printer 1 starts the print processing shown in FIG. 5. Areceiving unit is realized at step S31. Specifically, when theprocessing has been finished as a result of a decision YES at step S27in the processing of FIG. 4, a decision is made that there has been aprint request from the outside.

The information accumulation controller 21 reads the data of which printhas been requested from the outside, from the accumulated information 23(step S32), and the HTML rendering engine 28 analyzes the HTML of thisdata, develops this into bit map data that can be printed with theprinter engine 9, and writes this data into the image buffer 8 (stepS33). Then, the printer controller 26 controls the printer engine 9,prints the bit map data developed in the image buffer 8 (step S34), andfinishes the processing. A printing unit is realized at step S34.

According to the network printer 1 explained above, it is possible tocollect information from the WWW site on the network 11, and print this,without utilizing a PC or a PDA.

Further, it is also possible to collect information automatically andperiodically from a specific WWW site. Further, the user can makerequest for printing and carry out other various kinds of operationswith the console panel 10 in front of the image formation apparatus 1.

Further, only when the password input by the user is correct (YES atstep S27), the print processing shown in FIG. 5 is carried out.Therefore, it is possible to prevent an unspecified large number ofusers from printing and wasting paper resources.

The second embodiment of this invention will be explained now. In thesecond embodiment, portions of the network printer 1 that are common tothose of the first embodiment will be attached with the same referencenumbers as those of the first embodiment of the invention, and theirdetailed explanation will be omitted. A hardware structure of thisnetwork printer 1 is similar to that of the first embodiment of theinvention explained with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram for explaining a processing thatthe network printer 1 executes according to a control program stored ina ROM 3. As shown in FIG. 7, a WWW server section 31 executes a functionas the WWW server. A HTML generator 32 generates a requested list in theformat of the HTML.

This network printer 1 executes the processing shown FIG. 3 and FIG. 5in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, instead ofcarrying out the processing shown in FIG. 4 the network printer 1carries out the processing shown in FIG. 8. Namely, when the networkprinter 1 has been accessed from a WWW browser (a client) not shown thatoperates on a PC connected to the network printer 1 based on a LAN orthe like (YES at step S41), the WWW server section 31 receives a requestvia the network interface 12, and analyzes this request (step S42).

When a URL assigned by the request is a list page of accumulatedinformation 23 (YES at step S43), a HTML generator 32 reads afetching-target URL and a receiving time stored in the accumulatedinformation 23 (the information stored at step S8), and prepares thislist in the format of the HTML (step S44). Then, the WWW server section31 transmits the list in the format of the HTML to the WWW browser viathe network interface 12 (step S45).

An example of a display of an image in the WWW browser of this list isas shown in FIG. 9. A user selects a desired URL and a receiving time onthe screen of the example shown in FIG. 9, and clicks a print button 33.When the WWW server section 31 has confirmed this (YES at step S46), theprocessing is finished. When a decision has been made as YES at stepS46, and the processing shown in FIG. 8 has been finished, the networkprinter 1 decides that there has been a print request from the outside(YES at step S31), and starts the print processing shown in FIG. 5.

When the URL assigned based on the request is not a list page of theaccumulated information 23 at step S43 (NO at step S43), the WWW serversection 31 transmits other contents or error information to the WWWbrowser via the network interface 12 (step S47). A receiving unit isrealized at steps S44 to S46.

According to the network printer 1 explained above, a list of the URLand the receiving time is prepared in the format of the HTML (step S44),and this is transmitted to the WWW browser of the user (step S45), andthe print request is received (step S46). Therefore, it is possible tomake request for printing on a large display like that of a PC.

The third embodiment of this invention will be explained now. In thethird embodiment, portions of the network printer 1 that are common tothose of the first embodiment will be attached with the same referencenumbers as those of the first embodiment of the invention, and theirdetailed explanation will be omitted. A hardware structure of thisnetwork printer 1 is similar to that of the first embodiment of theinvention explained with reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram for explaining a processing thatthe network printer 1 executes according to a control program stored ina ROM 3. As accumulated information 23 of this network printer 1, thereare stored data of an E-mail received via the network 11, an E-mailaddress of a sender, and a date and time when the E-mail is collected(accumulated).

A mail server 34 receives an E-mail via the network interface 12. A mailheader analyzer 35 analyzes the header of a received E-mail, andextracts a mail address of a sender. A mail rendering engine 36 analyzesthe E-mail, and develops the E-mail into bit map data that can beprinted with the printer engine 9.

Next, the processes carried out by the network printer 1 will beexplained with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. 13. First, when there hasbeen a request for connecting to the mail server 34 (YES at step S51),the processing shown in FIG. 11 is started. Namely, the network printer1 receives an E-mail from an optional sender via the network interface12 (step S52), analyzes the header of the E-mail received by the mailheader analyzer 35, and extracts a mail address of the sender (stepS53).

In this case, there is a risk of receiving a damage like a SPAM mail.Therefore, an E-mail address of a sender from whom an E-mail is to bereceived is stored as set information 22 in advance in the flashmemories 5. The network printer 1 compares the mail address stored inthe set information 22 with the mail address of the received E-mail(step S54). When the mail address stored in the set information 22 andthe mail address of the received E-mail do not coincide with each other(NO at step S54), the processing shown in FIG. 11 is finished.

When the mail address stored in the set information 22 and the mailaddress of the received E-mail coincide with each other (YES at stepS54), the mail rendering engine 36 analyzes the E-mail, and develops theE-mail into bit map data that can be printed with the printer engine 9(step S55).

In this case, for the E-mail of a MIME multi-part, it is possible toanalyze the multi-part. For the image data of an attached GIF and JPEG,it is possible to convert this data into bit map. Then, an informationaccumulation controller 21 accumulates E-mail data together with theaddress of the sender and the receiving time, as the accumulatedinformation 23 (step S56). A data conversion unit is realized at stepS56.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user has selected an accumulatedinformation printing mode by operating the console panel 10 (YES at stepS61), the network printer 1 starts the processing shown in a flowchartin FIG. 12. Namely, the information accumulation controller 21 reads themail address of the sender and the receiving time stored in theaccumulated information 23 (the information stored at step S56), andprepares a list of this information (step S62). Then, a console panelcontroller 30 displays this list on the LCD of the console panel 10(step S63).

FIG. 14 shows one example of this image display. In the example of FIG.14, an E-mail address is shown on the left side, and a receiving time isshown on the right side. The past hysteresis is displayed vertically.When an upper or lower button on the console (or the console panel) isdepressed, a highlight of a character string that shows a selection ofinformation moves.

When the user has selected a desired E-mail address and a receiving timeby looking at this display (the highlight of the character stringshowing a selection of information moves based on the operation of apredetermined selection key on the console panel 10. When this isstopped at a desired position, and a predetermined determination key isoperated, a selection is carried out) (YES at step S64), the consolepanel controller 30 displays a message of a request for inputting apassword on the LCD of the console panel 10 (at step S65).

When the user has input a password by operating the keys on the consolepanel 10 (YES at step S66), the user authenticator 29 collates the inputpassword with the password stored in the set information 22, and decideswhether the input password is correct or not (step S67). Anauthentication unit is realized at step S67.

When the input password is correct (YES at step S67), the processingshown in FIG. 12 is finished. When the input password is not correct (NOat step S67), the console panel controller 30 displays an error messageon the LCD of the console panel 10 (step S68), and finishes theprocessing shown in FIG. 12. When the network printer 1 is equipped witha charge system, the user can use a user code in this charge system as apassword to be input by the user.

When there has been a print request from the outside (YES at step S71),the network printer 1 starts the print processing shown in FIG. 13. Areceiving unit is realized at step S71. Specifically, when theprocessing has been finished as a result of a decision YES at step S67in the processing of FIG. 12, a decision is made that there has been aprint request from the outside.

The information accumulation controller 21 reads the data of which printhas been requested from the outside, from the accumulated information23, and writes this data into the image buffer 8 (step S72). Then, theprinter controller 26 controls the printer engine 9, prints the bit mapdata written in the image buffer 8 (step S73), and finishes theprocessing. A printing unit is realized at step S73.

In this example, the network printer 1 itself has the mail serverfunction, and becomes the mail host. However, it is also possible toarrange such that a separate workstation connected to a network like aLAN is used as a mail host, the mail host operates the server of a POPor an IMAP4, and the network printer 1 has these client functions.Therefore, according to the network printer 1, it is possible to collectE-mail information and print this, without utilizing a PC or a PDA.

Further, only when the password input by the user is correct (YES atstep S67), the print processing shown in FIG. 13 is carried out.Therefore, it is possible to control the distribution of E-mail newssuch that that only contracted users can read charged E-mail news ofwhich disclosure to an unspecified large number of users has beenprohibited. Further, as it is possible to convert the E-mail informationinto bit map data before storing the information as the accumulatedinformation 23 (step S55), it is possible to shorten the time forwaiting for the printing.

In the above first to third embodiments, there has been explained a casewhere the present invention is applied to a composite device that can beutilized as a printer, a copying machine or a facsimile unit. In themean time, there have recently been devised image formation apparatusesthat are used as a platform of software by using common portions ofsoftware (applications) corresponding to a printer, a copying machine,and a facsimile unit. For example, Japanese Patent Application No.2000-204235 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-204257 describethese image formation apparatuses. The fourth embodiment of thisinvention assumes a case where the present invention is applied to acomposite device having a platform that uses common portions ofapplications.

First, a structure of a composite device relating to the fourthembodiment will be explained. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagramshowing a structure of the composite device relating to the fourthembodiment. As shown in this drawing, this composite device 100 consistsof a plotter 101, a hard disk unit (HDD) 102, and a network interface103. A software group 110 consists of a platform 120, and applications140.

The platform 120 consists of a general-purpose OS 121, a common systemservice 130, and an application service 129. The general-purpose OS 121is a general-purpose operating system like the UNIX, and executes eachsoftware of the platform 120 and the applications 140 in parallel asrespective processes. Based on the use of the open-source UNIX, it ispossible to secure safety of computer programs, and it is possible tocorrespond to a network. It also becomes possible to obtain a sourcecode. Further, royalties of the OS and the TCP/IP are not necessary, andoutsourcing becomes easy.

The common system service 130 provides basic common services to theapplications 140, and consists of an SRM (System Resource Manager) 123having an SCS (System Control Service) 122, an ECS (Engine ControlService) 124, an MCS (Memory Control Service) 125, an OCS (Operationpanel Control Service) 126, an FCS (FAX Control Service) 127, and an NCS(Network Control Service) 128.

The SRM 123 controls the system and manages the resources together withthe SCS 122. The SRM 123 carries out arbitration and control ofexecution according to a request from a higher layer that utilizes thehardware resources like the engine of the plotter 101 and a scanner, amemory, the HDD 102, and host I/Os (a centro I/F, the network interface103, an IEEE1394I/F, and an RS232CI/F).

Specifically, the SRM 123 makes a decision about whether it is possibleto utilize a requested hardware resource or not (whether the hardwareresource is not being utilized based on other request or not). When itis possible utilize the requested hardware resource, the SRM 123 poststo the higher layer that it is possible to utilize the requestedhardware resource. Further, it is also possible to arrange such that theSRM 123 schedules the utilization of a hardware resource according to arequest from the higher layer, and directly executes the requestedcontents (for example, carrying of paper based on the printer engine,image formation operation, securing a memory, and file preparation).

The SCS 122 carries out (1) application management, (2) control of theconsole, (3) display of a system screen (such as job (task) list screen,and a counter display screen) (4) display of an LED, (5) resourcemanagement, and (6) interruption application control. Specifically, inthe (1) application management, the SCS 122 carries out registration ofan application, and posting of this information to other application.The SCS 122 posts an engine status to a registered application accordingto a setting of the system and a setting of a request from theapplication. Further, the SCS 122 inquires a registered application intoa shifting of a power mode, an interruption mode, and a shifting of asystem status.

Further, in the (2) control of the console, the SCS 122 carries out anexclusive control of the right of an application for the use of theconsole. Then, the SCS 122 exclusively posts key information from theconsole driver (OCS) to an application that has the right of using theconsole. This key information is for executing a mask control fortemporarily stopping the posting according to a shift of a system statuslike a status that the application is being switched.

Further, in the (3) display of a system screen, the SCS 122 displays analarm screen corresponding to an engine status according to the contentsof a request from an application that has the right of using theconsole. Among the displays, there is an ON/OFF display of an alarmaccording to a status of an application like a user limit screen. Otherthan the engine status, the SCS 122 controls the display of a job listscreen for displaying a status of job reservation/execution, a counterscreen for displaying a total counter, and a display for showing thatthe CSS is in the communication status. Regarding these system screendisplays, the SCS 122 does not request an application for a release ofthe right of using the console, and draws an image as a system screenthat covers an application screen.

Further, in the (4) display of an LED, the SCS 122 carries out a displaycontrol of an alarm LED, and a system LED like application keys.Regarding an LED that is own to an application, the application directlycontrols the display by using a display driver.

Further, in the (5) resource management, the SCS 122 provides servicesfor an exclusive control of the engine resource (for the scanner and thestaple) to be exclusively controlled for the application (ECS) toexecute a job. In the (6) interruption application control, the SCS 122provides control/services for a specific application to carry outoperation with priority.

The ECS 124 controls the plotter 101, the HDD 102, and the networkinterface 103. The ECS 124 carries out image reading, print operation,status posting, and recovery from a jam.

Specifically, the ECS 124 sequentially issues print requests to the SRM123 according to assignment of job modes received from the applications140, thereby to realize a series of copy/scan/print operations. As a jobto be handled by the ECS 124, an image input device is to be assignedwith a SCANNER, or an image output device is to be assigned with aPLOTTER.

For example, when performing a copy operation, “SCANNER-PLOTTER” isspecified. When performing file accumulation, “SCANNER-MEMORY” isspecified. When transmitting a facsimile, “SCANNER-FAX_IN” is specified.When printing an accumulated file, or when printing using a printerapplication 111, “MEMORY-PLOTTER” is assigned. When receiving afacsimile, “FAX_OUT-PLOTTER” is specified.

A definition of a job is different depending on an application. In thiscase, the operation of processing one set of image group that the userhandles is defined as one job. For example, in the case of a copy ADF(Automatic Document Feeder) mode, the operation of reading one set ofdocument placed on a draft table becomes one job. In the case of acompressed plate mode, the read operation until a final draft has beenfirmed up becomes one job. In the case of a copy application 112, theoperation of copying a bundle of draft becomes one job. In the case of afacsimile application 113, the transmission operation of one document orthe reception operation of one document becomes one job. In the case ofa printer application, the print operation of one document becomes onejob.

The MCS 125 carries out memory control. Specifically, the MCS 125carries out obtaining and release of an image memory, utilization of thehard disk unit (HDD), and compression and expansion of image data.

As functions that are necessary for managing information necessary as animage data file to be accumulated in the hard disk unit, there are (1) afile access (generate/delete/open/close) function (including anexclusive processing), (2) various file attribute management (managementas a file of image data in a physical page unit) such as file name/IDmanagement (file/user)/password management/accumulation timemanagement/number of pages/data format (a compression system or thelike)/access limit/preparation application/print condition management,(3) a combine/insert/disconnect function in a file unit or a page unit,(4) a file sort function (in the order of accumulation time/in the orderof user IDs, etc.), (5) posting of all file information (fordisplay/detection), (6) a recovery function (file/page abandon of adamaged file), and (7) an automatic file delete function.

Further, as functions for holding image data in a memory like a RAM, andmaking access, there are (1) a function of obtaining a file andpage/band attribute information from the applications 140, and (2) afunction of securing, releasing, reading and writing an image data areafrom the applications 140.

The OCS 126 is a module for controlling the console panel that becomesmeans for transmitting information between the operator and the mainbody control. The OCS 126 carries out a processing of posting a keyconsole event of the operator to the main body control, a processing ofproviding a library function for each application to build up a GUI, aprocessing of managing the built-up GUI information by application, anda processing of reflecting a display to the console panel.

This OCS 126 has (1) a function of providing a library for building up aGUI, (2) a function of managing a console hardware resource, (3) a VRAMdrawing/LCD display function (a hardware display, a display applicationchange-over, a display language change-over, a window dark-colordisplay, a message/icon blink display, and a message linkage display),(4) a hard key input detection function, (5) a touch panel key inputdetection function, (6) an LED output function, and (7) a buzzer outputfunction.

The FCS 127 provides an API for carrying out a transmission/reception offacsimile using a PSTN/ISDN network form each application layer of thesystem controller, registration/citing of various kinds of facsimiledata that are managed by a BKM (back-up SRAM), reading of facsimile,reception and printing of facsimile, and fused transmission andreception.

Specifically, this FCS 127 has (1) a transmission function fortransmitting documents of which transmission has been requested by theapplication layer, to a facsimile receiver by using the PSTN/ISDNnetwork, (2) a receiving function for transferring facsimile receptionscreens and various kinds of reports that have been received from thePSTN/ISDN network, and printing them, (3) a telephone directoryciting/registering function for citing and registering telephonedirectories and facsimile management items like group information thatare stored in the facsimile board, (4) a facsimile log posting functionfor posting transmission/reception result hysteresis information storedin the BKM mounted on the facsimile board, to an application thatrequires this information, and (5) an event posting function for postingan event of a change in the application registered in the FCS when therehas been a change in the status of the facsimile board.

The NCS 128 is a module group for providing services that can becommonly used, to an application that requires a network I/O. The NCS128 allocates data received by each protocol from the network side toeach application, and intermediates the transmission of the data fromthe application to the network. Specifically, the NCS 128 has serverdemons like ftpd, httpd, lpd, snmpd, telnetd, and smtpd, and a clientfunction of the same protocol.

The application service 129 is one of common services that form the platform 120. The application service 129 provides services at theapplications 140 side, unlike the ECS 124, the MCS 125, the OCS 126, theFCS 127, the NCS 128, the SRM 123, and the SCS 122 that form the commonsystem service 130.

In other words, this application service 129 exists between theapplications 140 and the common system service 130, and plays a role ofa bridge between the both.

Specifically, this application service 129 has an application generationmodule 129 a that collectively carries out the functions of a jobgeneration and data communications that the copy application 112, thefacsimile application 113, and a scanner application 114 basically carryout, on their behalf. Therefore, the copy application 112, the facsimileapplication 113, and the scanner application 114 may work only for thescreen and key operations as a main. As a result, the applicationdevelopment efficiency improves.

Further, the application service 129 has a rasterization module 129 b, aPS conversion module 129 c, and a WWW collection module 129 d. Thesemodules exist between the common system service 130 and the applications140, and play a role of a bridge between the both.

The rasterization module 129 b is a module for rasterizing datadescribed in the postscript as a page description language, andconverting the data into bit map data. The PS conversion module 129 c isa module for converting data collected via the network, into data of thepostscript.

The WWW collection module 129 d is a module for collecting WWW data viathe WWW of the Internet. Specifically, the WWW collection module 129 dcollects data from the WWW site according to the fetching-targetinformation that shows a destination of obtaining information held onthe memory or the HDD 102, and an obtaining timing. Specifically, theURL at the WWW site corresponds to collected fetching-targetinformation. It is also possible to obtain an E-mail as the information.

The applications 140 include a printer application 111 as an applicationfor the printer, a copy application 112 as an application for a copymachine, a facsimile application 113 as an application for a facsimileunit, a scanner application 114 as an application for a scanner, anetwork file application 115 as an application for a network, and a WWWprint application 116 as an application for printing WWW data. Inaddition to these, it is also possible to provide a process inspectionapplication as an application for inspecting the process.

This WWW print application 116 is an application that is utilized whenthe WWW data is printed. In response to an instruction from the WWWprint application 116, the WWW collection module 129 d collectsinformation.

Specifically, when the URL of the fetching-target information and aninformation obtaining timing have been assigned from the WWW printapplication 116, the WWW collection module 129 d obtains the WWW datafrom this position at the assigned time. When it has been instructedfrom this WWW print application 116 to immediately obtain the WWW datafrom a specific URL, the WWW collection module 129 d obtains the WWWdata immediately.

Each of the applications 111 to 116 is effected to execute eachoperation by utilizing each process on the platform 120. Therefore, thescreen display control becomes the main body. Particularly, as theapplication service 129 is provided on the platform 120, it is notnecessary to generate a job or provide a function for datacommunications.

Next, a process of printing data by using the composite device 100 shownin FIG. 15 will be explained. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining theoperation of printing data by using the print application 111 shown inFIG. 15. For the sake of convenience of the explanation, only the SRM123, the ECS 124, the MCS 125, and the NCS 128 are shown as the commonsystem service 130.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the NCS 128 of the composite device 100 hasreceived print data from the network interface 103, the arrival of theprint data is posted to the print application 111. The print application111 instructs the application generation module 129 a to generate a job.When this NCS 128 has output the print data to the rasterization module129 b, the rasterization module 129 b rasterizes to convert the printdata into bit map data, and outputs the bit map data to the MCS 125.

The MCS 125 stores this bit map data into the memory or the HDD 102. Atthe same time, when a data request has been received from the ECS 124,the MCS 125 outputs this bit map data to the ECS 124. Then, the ECS 124outputs the bit map data to the plotter 101 to make it print this data.

As explained above, when the print data received via the network is tobe printed, the print data is developed into bit map data by using therasterization module 129 b provided on the platform 120. In this case,the PS conversion module 129 c and the WWW collection module 129 d arenot utilized.

Next, the print operation of the WWW data using the WWW printapplication 116 shown in FIG. 15 will be explained. FIG. 17 is a diagramfor explaining the print operation of the WWW data using the WWW printapplication 116 shown in FIG. 15. For the sake of convenience of theexplanation, only the SRM 123, the ECS 124, the MCS 125, and the NCS 128are shown as the common system service 130.

The WWW print application 116 assigns a destination (URL) of obtainingthe WWW data and the obtaining time, and as shown in FIG. 17, when thefetching-target (URL) and the obtaining time are stored in the memory orthe HDD 102, the WWW collection module 129 d receives thefetching-target (URL) and the obtaining time from the MCS 125, andcollects the WWW data from the WWW server of the URL corresponding tothe obtaining time.

When the NCS 128 has received the WWW data, the NCS 128 posts thiseffect to the WWW print application 111. The WWW print application 111generates a job. The WWW collection module 129 d that has received theWWW data from the NCS 128 outputs this WWW data to the PS conversionmodule 129 c. This PS conversion module 129 c converts the WWW data intothe postscript data, and outputs the result to the MCS 125.

The MCS 125 converts the WWW data into bit map data by using therasterization module 129 b, and stores this bit map data into the memoryor the HDD 102. When requested from the ECS 124, the MCS 125 outputsthis bit map data to the ECS 124. Then, the ECS 124 prints this bit mapdata with the plotter 101.

For the sake of convenience of the explanation, the bit map data hasbeen stored into the memory or the HDD 102. However, it is also possibleto arrange such that the WWW data of the postscript is stored into thememory or the HDD 102, and that the WWW data is converted into the bitmap data when this has been requested from the ECS 124.

As explained above, based on the use of the WWW collection module 129 d,the PS conversion module 129 c, and the rasterization module 129 b onthe platform 120, it is possible to collect the WWW data from thenetwork and print this data.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the applicationgeneration module 129 a, the rasterization module 129 b, the PSconversion module 129 c, and the WWW collection module 129 d areprovided within the application service 129 that exists between thecommon system service 130 and the applications 140. Therefore, it ispossible to collect the WWW data from the network, and print this data.

In the above fourth embodiment, there has been explained a case wherethe application service 129 is provided between the common systemservice 130 and the applications 140. However, the present invention isnot limited to this. It is also possible to apply the present inventionto a case where the application service 129 is not provided. The fifthembodiment assumes a case where the applications 140 carry out theprocessing of the above application service 129.

First, a structure of a composite device relating to the fifthembodiment will be explained. FIG. 18 is a functional block diagramshowing a structure of the composite device relating to the fifthembodiment. As shown in this drawing, this composite device 200 consistsof a plotter 201, a hard disk unit (HDD) 202, and a network interface203. A software group 210 consists of a platform 220, and applications240.

The platform 220 consists of a general-purpose OS 221, an SRM (SystemResource Manager) 223 having an SCS (System Control Service) 222, an ECS(Engine Control Service) 224, an MCS (Memory Control Service) 225, anOCS (Operation panel Control Service) 226, an FCS (FAX Control Service)227, and an NCS (Network Control Service) 228. These portions aresimilar to those shown in FIG. 15, and therefore, their detailedexplanation will be omitted.

The applications 230 include a printer application 211 as an applicationfor the printer, a copy application 212 as an application for a copymachine, a facsimile application 213 as an application for a facsimileunit, a scanner application 214 as an application for a scanner, anetwork file application 215 as an application for a network, and a WWWprint application 216 as an application for collecting and printing WWWdata. In addition to these, it is also possible to provide a processinspection application as an application for inspecting the process.

The WWW print application 216 is an application for obtaining the WWWdata from the WWW server and printing this WWW data. Specifically, whenthe URL of the WWW server of the fetching-target information and theinformation obtaining timing are assigned, the WWW print application 216obtains the WWW data from the WWW server, converts this data intorasterize data, and requests for the printing of this data.

Next, how the composite device 200 shown in FIG. 18 prints data will beexplained. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining the operation of thecomposite device 200.

When the NCS 222 has received print data via the network interface 203,the NCS 222 transmits the print data to the printer application 211.Then, the printer application 211 rasterizes the print data, and storesthe print data into the memory or the HDD 202 via the MCS 225.

When the printer application 211 has generated a print job and requestedthe ECS 224 to execute the job, the ECS 224 receives the print data fromthe MCS 225, and prints the print data with the plotter 201.

As explained above, based on the provision of a rasterization module 211b within the printer application 211, it is possible to rasterize theprint data received from the network, and print this data. However, thishas a drawback in that it is necessary to provide a rasterizer of arelatively heavy processing separately for each application.

Next, the operation of obtaining and printing the WWW data using the WWWprint application 216 shown in FIG. 18 will be explained in furtherdetail. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the operation of obtainingand printing the WWW data using the WWW print application 216 shown inFIG. 18.

As shown in FIG. 20, this WWW print application 216 has a WWW print jobgeneration module 216 a, a rasterization module 216 b, a PS conversionmodule 216 c, and a WWW collection module 216 d.

The WWW print application 216 assigns a fetching-target (URL) and a timefor obtaining the WWW data. When the fetching-target (URL) and theobtaining time have been stored in the memory or the HDD 202, the WWWcollection module 216 d receives the fetching-target (URL) and theobtaining time from the MCS 225, and collects the WWW data from the WWWserver of the URL at the corresponding time.

When the NCS 222 has received the WWW data, the WWW data is output tothe WWW collection module 216 d. The PS conversion module 216 c convertsthis WWW data into a postscript, and outputs this to the MCS 225.

The MCS 225 converts this WWW data into bit map data using therasterization module 216 b, and stores this bit map data into the memoryor the HDD 202. In response to the posting from the rasterization module216 b, the WWW print job generation module 216 a generates a WWW printjob, and requests the ECS 224 to execute this job. When the MCS 225 hasreceived a request from the ECS 224 to output the print data, the MCS225 outputs this bit map data to the ECS 224. Then, the ECS 224 printsthis bit map data with the plotter 201.

As explained above, based on the use of the WWW collection module 216 d,the PS conversion module 216 c, and the rasterization module 216 b onthe WWW print application 216, it is possible to collect the WWW datafrom the network and print this data.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, it has beenconstructed to use the WWW print application 216 that has the WWWcollection module 216 d, the PS conversion module 216 c, and therasterization module 216 b. Therefore, it is possible to collect the WWWdata from the network and print this data.

In the fifth embodiment, the WWW collection module 216 d and the likeare used as the elements of the WWW print application 216, unlike thefourth embodiment. Therefore, the fifth embodiment has an advantage inthat it is not necessary to update the platform 220. However, there is adrawback in that a plurality of applications must have the rasterizationmodule 216 b or the like independently.

As explained above, information is obtained from the network via thenetwork interface, and the information is stored in an informationstorage. When a request for printing has been received from the outside,the information stored in the information storage is printed with theprinter engine. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible toobtain an image formation apparatus that is capable of collectinginformation on the network and printing this information, withoututilizing a PC or a PDA.

Furthermore, a fetching-target information as the information forspecifying a destination of obtaining the information is stored in afirst storage. Fetching-timing information that is the information forspecifying a timing of periodically obtaining the information is storedin a second storage. The information is obtained from a destinationindicated by the fetching-target information when the fetching-timinginformation is shown. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possibleto obtain an image formation apparatus capable of collecting informationautomatically and periodically from a specific fetching-target.

Moreover, the destination of obtaining the information is a WWW server,and the fetching-target information is a URL at a WWW site. Therefore,there is an effect that it is possible to obtain an image formationapparatus capable of collecting information from a WWW site and printingthis information, without utilizing a PC or a PDA.

Furthermore, the information is an E-mail. Therefore, there is an effectthat it is possible to obtain an image formation apparatus capable ofcollecting E-mail information and printing this information, withoututilizing a PC or a PDA.

Moreover, information obtained is converted into bit map data beforestoring the information into the information storage. Therefore, thereis an effect that it is possible to obtain an image formation apparatuscapable of shortening the time for waiting for the printing.

Furthermore, the request for printing is received by operating a consolepanel of the present apparatus. Therefore, there is an effect that it ispossible to obtain an image formation apparatus capable of enabling auser to make request for printing and carry out other various kinds ofoperations in front of the image formation apparatus.

Moreover, the information storage stores information obtained from thenetwork, together with the fetching-target information as theinformation for specifying a destination of obtaining this informationand a time of receiving this information. A list of the information onthe fetching-target information and the receiving time stored in theinformation storage is converted into the HTML format, and thisconverted list is transmitted to a WWW browser of a user via thenetwork. The request for printing is received on a display screen ofthis transmitted data. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possibleto obtain an image formation apparatus capable of making request forprinting on a large display like that of a PC.

Furthermore, a printing from a specific user is refused. Therefore,there is an effect that it is possible to prevent an unspecified largenumber of users from printing and wasting paper resources. Further,there is an effect that it is possible to obtain an image formationapparatus capable of controlling the distribution of E-mail news suchthat that only contracted users can read charged E-mail news of whichdisclosure to an unspecified large number of users has been prohibited.

The computer program according to the present invention containsinstructions which when executed on a computer realizes the methodaccording to the present invention on the computer. Therefore, there isan effect that it is possible to realize the method according to thepresent invention easily and automatically.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the platformof the image formation apparatus comprises: an information obtainingmodule which obtains information from the network via the networkinterface; a memory control module which stores the information obtainedby the information obtaining module into the storage section; and anengine control module which prints, using the printing section, theinformation stored in the storage section that has been requested forprinting, when the information printing request has been received fromthe network. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to obtainan image formation apparatus capable of executing the processing likethe obtaining of information, in common to each application.

Furthermore, the storage section stores the fetching-target informationthat is the information for specifying a destination of obtaining theinformation, and the fetching-timing information that is the informationfor specifying a timing of periodically obtaining the information, andthe information obtaining module obtains the information from adestination indicated by the fetching-target information when thefetching-timing information stored in the storage section is shown.Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain an imageformation apparatus capable of obtaining information from a desiredposition at a desired time.

Moreover, the destination of obtaining the information is a WWW server,and the fetching-target information is a URL at a WWW site. Therefore,there is an effect that it is possible to obtain an image formationapparatus capable of collecting information from a WWW site and printingthis information.

Furthermore, the information is an E-mail. Therefore, there is an effectthat it is possible to obtain an image formation apparatus capable ofcollecting E-mail information and printing this information.

Moreover, the platform comprises a data conversion module which convertsinformation obtained by the information obtaining module into bit mapdata. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain animage formation apparatus capable of executing a conversion to bit mapdata in common to each application.

Furthermore, the image formation apparatus is loaded with a printapplication for printing information received from the network via thenetwork interface in response to the operation at the console panel, asone of the plurality of applications, and the information obtainingmodule obtains the information in response to an instruction from theprint application. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible toobtain an image formation apparatus capable of enabling a user to makerequest for printing and carry out other various kinds of operations infront of the image formation apparatus.

Moreover, there is provided an application program interface for makingit possible to receive a processing request from the application basedon a function defined in advance. Therefore, there is an effect that itis possible to obtain an image formation apparatus capable of smoothlycoordinating between the application and the platform.

Furthermore, there are formed a control service for interpreting theprocessing request from the application, and generating a request forobtaining the hardware resources; and a system resource manager formanaging one or the plurality of hardware resources, and arbitrating theobtaining request from the control service. Therefore, there is aneffect that it is possible to obtain an image formation apparatuscapable of sharing the control service in common, not only the meremanagement and arbitration of hardware resources.

Moreover, the control service is constructed of a plurality of servicemodules. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain animage formation apparatus capable of expanding the function of thecontrol service by adding modules having new services.

Furthermore, the service modules are composed of at least two modulesamong the information obtaining module, the memory control module, theengine control module, the data conversion module, an operation panelcontrol service for controlling the operation panel, a facsimile controlservice for controlling the facsimile communication, and a networkcontrol service for controlling the network communication. Therefore,there is an effect that it is possible to obtain an image formationapparatus capable of positioning the engine control, the memory control,the panel control, the facsimile control, and the network communicationscontrol as the processing common to each application.

The present document incorporates by reference the entire contents ofJapanese priority documents, 2000-338217 filed in Japan on Nov. 6, 2000and 2001-094343 filed in Japan on Mar. 28, 2001.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a specificembodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims arenot to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying allmodifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching hereinset forth.

1. An image formation apparatus comprising: a network interfaceconfigured to connect to a network; an information obtaining unitconfigured to obtain information from a predetermined destination on thenetwork via the network interface at each of a plurality ofpredetermined times; an HTTP request transmitter configured to generatean HTTP request to an assigned URL according to a head method, whereinthe network interface transmits the HTTP request to a server of theassigned URL and receives a response, which does not contain theinformation, from the server, wherein the HTTP request transmitterdetermines whether the information is updated based on the responsereceived, and receives the information if the information is updated; amemory unit configured to store information identifying thepredetermined destination, to store information specifying a time atwhich the information was obtained from the predetermined destination,and to store the information obtained from the predetermined destinationat each of the predetermined times; a printing unit configured to printthe information obtained by the information obtaining unit; and a dataconversion unit configured to convert the information obtained by theinformation obtaining unit into bit map data, which can be printed withthe printing unit, before storing the information.
 2. The imageformation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the destination ofobtaining the information is a WWW server, and the informationidentifying the predetermined destination is a URL of a WWW site.
 3. Theimage formation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the obtainedinformation is an E-mail.
 4. The image formation apparatus according toclaim 1, further comprising: an authentication unit which authenticatesthe user and refuses printing by the printing unit from a specific user.5. An image formation method comprising: obtaining information from apredetermined destination network via a network interface for making aconnection to the network repeatedly at each of a plurality ofpredetermined times; storing information identifying the predetermineddestination; converting the received information into bit map data,which can be printed with a printing unit, before storing theinformation; generating an HTTP request to an assigned URL according toa head method, wherein the network interface transmits the HTTP requestto a server of the assigned URL and receives a response, which does notcontain the information, from the server; determining whether theinformation is updated based on the response received; receiving theinformation if the information is updated; storing informationspecifying a time at which the information was obtained from thepredetermined destination; storing the information obtained from thepredetermined destination; and printing the information obtained fromthe predetermined destination.
 6. The image formation method accordingto claim 5, wherein: the predetermined destination is a WWW server, andthe information identifying the predetermined destination is a URL at aWWW site.
 7. The image formation method according to claim 5, wherein:the obtained information is an E-mail.
 8. The image formation methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the request for printing is received byoperating a console panel of the present apparatus.
 9. The imageformation method according to claim 5, wherein: the information storagestores information obtained from the network together with theinformation identifying the predetermined destination as the informationfor specifying a destination of obtaining this information and a time ofreceiving this information, and a list of the information on theinformation identifying the predetermined destination and the receivingtime stored in the information storage is converted into the HTMLformat, and this converted list is transmitted to a WWW browser of auser via the network, and the request for printing is received on adisplay screen of this transmitted data.
 10. The image formation methodaccording to claim 5, further comprising: authenticating print requestsfrom a user and refusing printing by the printing unit from a specificuser.
 11. A computer program embodied on a computer readable mediumcontaining instructions which when executed on a computer causes thecomputer to perform the steps of: obtaining information from apredetermined destination network via a network interface for making aconnection to the network repeatedly at each of a plurality ofpredetermined times; storing information identifying the predetermineddestination; generating an HTTP request to an assigned URL according toa head method, wherein the network interface transmits the HTTP requestto a server of the assigned URL and receives a response, which does notcontain the information, from the server; determining whether theinformation is updated based on the response received; receiving theinformation if the information is updated; storing informationspecifying a time at which the information was obtained from thepredetermined destination; converting the received information into bitmap data, which can be printed with a printing unit, before storing theinformation; storing the information obtained from the predetermineddestination at each of the predetermined times; and printing theinformation obtained from the predetermined destination.
 12. An imageformation apparatus comprising: hardware resources including one or moreof a display section, a printing section, a storage section, and animage pickup section that are used for forming an image, and providinguser services of an image formation processing using a printer, a copymachine, and a facsimile unit, wherein a platform capable of loadingthereon a plurality of applications for providing own image formationprocessing to each of the user services using the printer, the copyingmachine, and the facsimile unit, the platform located between theapplications and the hardware resources, for controlling the managementand execution of the hardware resources that are carried out in commonto the plurality of applications that can be loaded at the time ofproviding the user services, wherein the platform includes, aninformation obtaining module configured to repeatedly obtain informationfrom a predetermined destination on the network via the networkinterface at each of a plurality of predetermined times; an HTTP requesttransmitter configured to generate an HTTP request to an assigned URLaccording to a head method, wherein the network interface transmits theHTTP request to a server of the assigned URL and receives a response,which does not contain the information, from the server, wherein theHTTP request transmitter determines whether the information is updatedbased on the response received, and receives the information if theinformation is updated; a data conversion module configured to convertinformation obtained by the information obtaining module into bit mapdata which can be printed with the printing section; a memory controlmodule configured to store the information obtained at each of aplurality of predetermined times by the information obtaining module,information identifying the predetermined destination; and an enginecontrol module which prints, using the printing section, informationstored in the storage section.
 13. The image formation apparatusaccording to claim 12, wherein: the predetermined destination is a WWWserver, and the information identifying a predetermined destination is aURL at a WWW site.
 14. The image formation apparatus according to claim12, wherein: the obtained information is an E-mail.
 15. The imageformation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the image formationapparatus is loaded with a print application for printing informationreceived from the network via the network interface in response to theoperation at the console panel, as one of the plurality of applications,and the information obtaining module obtains the information in responseto an instruction from the print application.
 16. The image formationapparatus according to claim 12, wherein the platform includes anapplication program interface for making it possible to receive aprocessing request from the application based on a function defined inadvance.
 17. The image formation apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the platform further comprises: a control service configured tointerpret the processing request from the application, and generating arequest for obtaining the hardware resources; and a system resourcemanager configured to manage one or the plurality of hardware resources,and arbitrating the obtaining request from the control service.
 18. Theimage formation apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the controlservice is constructed of a plurality of service modules.
 19. The imageformation apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the service modulesare composed of at least two modules among the information obtainingmodule, the memory control module, the engine control module, the dataconversion module, an operation panel control service for controllingthe operation panel, a facsimile control service for controlling thefacsimile communication, and a network control service for controllingthe network communication.